Apple stock flirting with $500, now valued more than Google and Microsoft combined Apple stock flirting with $500, now valued more than Google an

If you ever doubted Apple’s near-term future under Tim Cook, you’d better put these concerns to rest - Apple stock has been growing even quicker under the new CEO and it’s close to hitting $500. Currently, it’s trading for nearly $495, and we expect it to reach $500 tomorrow, but what’s interesting is that since the new chief executive is in place, the company has grown by $100 billion in market value. Apple is the world’s largest company by market estimations, surpassing Exxon Mobil by nearly $60 billion, as the oil giant’s market value is around $401 billion.

Amazingly, Apple is now bigger than Microsoft and Google combined in market value, which alone is telling. Apple has a market cap of nearly $460 billion, while Microsoft ($258 billion) and Google ($199 billion) combine for around $457 billion.

We should note that market value is a volatile measure, which can change drastically in mere weeks, but it is also an indication of what investors think about the company’s prospects. And, if you sold Apple stock when the iPhone 4S came out, you should definitely feel sorry about it. Check out Apple shares racing to the $500 mark, after hitting a low in November - the growth rate is almost unbelievable.

Apple Stock Earnings Preview (AAPL):

Apple Planning Media Event For iPad 3 And iOS 5.1 In February

Most people already know that that iPad 3 can't be very far away especially if Apple is to follow their usual release schedule. A new report has suggested that we might only have to wait a couple of weeks though rather than months for this big announcement.

Japanese website Macotakara has cited sources that claim Apple is set to announce their next generation iPad sooner rather than later. It looks as if a release date for sometime during March is to be expected and an announcement is due to come towards the end of February. This time scale seems to fit in with all the reports that the new iPad 3 is being produced and will likely reach capacity during the coming weeks.

With the next iPad rumors now in full circulation the real questions remaining for many are about the hardware specifications that will be released. Many are wondering if Apple will bring LTE to the new iPad. This may not happen considering that this technology is still in its infancy so we might have to wait a little longer for this. A quad core A6 CPU is looking likely but there is a debate about whether so much power will be required.

The most talked about feature of the new iPad 3 is a retina display especially after its rapid acceptance in the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. Apple is also expected to announce the final build of iOS 5.1 for all iOS devices which is also going to bring Siri dictation to the iPad.

iPad 3 rumors, Apple media event, 2012 product predictions, and more:

iCloud hits 85 million users

If you build it (and make it free), they will come. Since Apple’s iCloud, the free service that keeps your email, calendars, contacts, and documents synced across all your devices, replaced the $99 a year MobileMe service, iCloud has seen incredible success.

iCloud already has 85 million users and over the past three months, its sign-ups have outpaces the unit sales of Macs, iPods, iPhones, and iPads combined. Apple had previously identified iCloud as its “strategy for the next decade.” At this growth rate, it could be Apple's strategy for much longer than a decade.

Apple releases Valentine's day gift guide

It’s just two weeks until Valentine’s day - the day when you can prove your love with a gift, if you ask Apple. The company has posted its Valentine’s day gift guide to help you pick something for your significant other, and to further boost its already incredible sales.

First on the list is the iPad 2 spiced up with Apple’s marketing talk: “A gift they’ll use happily ever after.” At least, until the next iPad is released, which is expected in mere weeks after Valentine’s day, so our advise on that would be to exercise the favorite virtue of every gadget lover - patience.

Next Apple is promoting its iPhone 4S, a much better-timed suggestion: “It’s the gift that does (and says) it all.” It was released back in October, and this makes it seem like a more reasonable gift candidate if your loved one is not afraid of those phone bills that come with it.

Finally, Apple promotes the iPod touch, but there’s plenty of accessories as well, so just hit the source link below to take a look at the gift guide yourselves. Have you already started thinking about Valentine’s day gifts and would they be gadgets? Share your ideas about the best Valentine’s day gift below.